Dishwasher having a dispenser



" ail Feb. 6, 1962 R. MERCER DISHWASHER HAVING A DISPENSER Filed Nov.24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Robert L. Mercer His Aflorn Feb. 6,1962 R. L. MERCER 3,019,802

DISHWASHER HAVING A DISPENSER Filed Nov. 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. Robert L. Mercer His Affomey Feb. 6, 1962 R. L. MERCER3,019,802

DISHWASHER HAVING A DISPENSER Filed Nov. 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. Robert L. Mercer zw j His Aflomey 3,619,802 DISHWASHER HAVINGA DISPENSER Robert L. Mercer, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General MotorsCorporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of .Delaware Filed Nov. 24,1958, Ser. No. 775,986 7 Claims. (Cl. 134--95) This invention relates toa domestic appliance and more particularly to an improved dispenser fora dishwasher.

It is frequently desirable in automatic appliances having a sequence ofoperations to dispense various substances at different points in theautomatic cycle. It has been well known that a plurality of electricallyactuated containers could be energized at the desired point in the cyclebut this requires additional electrical circuitry and additional cams inthe timing mechanism. It is the purpose of this invention to provide asimplified dispenser which will emit a plurality of substances during anautomatic cycle at different points therein without requiring additionalcircuitry.

Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a dispenserwhich will be actuated directly by the rotation of a timer shaft.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a timer havinginternal'cams for sequentially operating electrical switches and anexternal cam for operating-directly a valve for a dispenser.

More specifically it is an object of this invention to provide a3-compartmented dispenser in combination with a timer shaft on one endof which resides a 3-steppcd cam which pivots a spring biased pin on adispenser cover plate to uncover certain of said compartments inaccordance with the positioning of said shaft.

It is also an object of this invention to placethe appliance timingmechanism within the appliance door.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein a preferred form of the present invention is clearlyshown.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side sectional view of a dishwasher having a door in whichthis invention may be used;

FIGURE 2 is a front view of a dishwasher door with parts broken away toshow the relative positions of the dispenser and timer combination ofthis invention;

FIGURE '3 is a partial side sectional view taken along line 3-3 withparts broken away to show the operation of the dispenser shutterplate'by the timer;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged side sectional view of the dispenser;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view of the stepped cam utilized with thisinvention;

FIGURE 6 is a View of timer and dispenser with the shutter platepositioned to admit the material contained in one of the dispensercompartments; and

FIGURE 7 is a view of the dispenser and timer with the shutter plate insecond and third compartment opening positions.

In accordance with this invention and with reference to FIGURE 1 adishwasher 1! is shown of the type taught more fully in the patent toAbresch et al. 2,734,- 520 issued February 14, 1956. The dishwasher Iiiincludes a dishwashing chamber 12 defined by a box-like receptaclehaving a top wall 14, a rear wall 16 and a sump or bottom wall portion13. Disposed within the dishwashing chamber 12 are support racks 20 fortableware to be cleaned by the appliance. The front of the dishwashingchamber is closed by a door 22 having a handle 24 and hinged at 26 to astructural member with- .in themotor compartment 28 of the dishwasherit). The

aiass Patented Foley 6, 1962 ice dishwasher is of the type wherein wateris circulated from the sump 18 by a pump 39 driven by a motor 34. Wateris directed by the pump 30 through a conduit 36 to a spray tube 38 whichrotates in response to the motion of the water to direct a changingpattern of water jetsover dishes disposed within the racks 2t and thedispenser to be described hereinafter. This explanation is believed tosufiice for the purposes of this disclosure and a more completeunderstanding of this type of dishwasher circulating system may begained from the aforementioned patent.

The door 22 is shown with parts broken away in FIG- URES l and 2. The"door 22 is comprised of a front panel 40 and a rear portion 42 facingthe dishwashing chamber 12. To prevent water from draining onto thefloor surrounding the dishwasher when the door 22 stands in an openhorizontal position, the rear portion 42 is formed with a peripheralridge 44 and a recessed inner panel or wall 46 is formed. It is throughan opening 7 in the inner panel 45 that a detergent dispenser cup 48projects. To eliminate the need for a wiring harness extending from themotor compartment 28 to the various electrically actuated devices whichmay be placed within the door 22, a timer 50 is installed between thepanels 4i) and 46 of the door 22. The timer is provided with a shaft 52having one end 53 which may extend through the front or outer panel 40'into engagement with a control knob 54 and another end 92 which extendsrearwardly through the inner panel 46 into engagement with a cam 56which is utilized to operate a dispenser as will be described more fullyhereinafter (FIGURE 3). With reference to FIGURES 2 and 3 the dispensercup 48 is shown with a peripheral flange 58 which is utilized to attachthe dispenser cup 48 to the panel 46. Thus the timer dispenser assemblyis comprised of a timer 50, a dispenser cup 43, a timer shaft 52, a cam56 and a shutter plate or dispenser valve 6% operated by therotation ofthe timer shaft 52.

In order to insure that the dishwasher 10 is not operated when the door22 is in an open position an interlock arrangement may be providedwherein the closing of the door and the actuation of the handle 24 willserve to close a switch 62 to condition the electrical circuit of thedishwasher for operation. This door latch interlock arrangement istaught more fully in copending application S.N. 710,715 filed January23, 1958 to which reference may be had for further details with regardto this interlocking arrangement. The door 22, may, for

decorative purposes, be provided with an escutcheon 64 on which a pilotlight 66 is attached as an indicator when the machine is in operation.

The dispenser cup 48 is shown in enlarged section in FIGURE 4 andillustrated as of elastomeric or plastic construction. The cup 48 isformed with a flange 58 which circumscribes the cup 48. At spaced pointson the flange 58 are mounting holes 68 which have recessed portions 70to prevent any fastening means from protruding beyond the surface 72 ofthe dispenser cup 48. The cup 48 is arcuate in outline as illustratedbest in FIG URES 2, 6 and 7 and includes a first compartment or pocket74, a second compartment 76 and a third compartment 78. Each of thesecompartment are adapted to include a measured amount of a singledetergent or each may include a different substance to be dispensed atspaced intervals during the washing cycle. For instance, detergents maybe used in compartments 74 and 76 for a first and second washingoperation while the third compartment 7 8 may contain a spots-away fluidor surfactant which prevents droplets from adhering to the tablewareduring the drying portion of the cycle to minimize spotting. Operatingthe'valve plate 60 of the dispenser cup 48 is a cam 56 having a shaftmounting hole 80 on which one side is flat to prevent relative rotationwhen mounted on the end 92 of the rotating timer shaft 52. Theconfiguration of cam 56 is designed in accordance with the number ofcompartments or pockets contained in the dispenser cup 48. For thisreason the cam 56 is designed with a first compartment opening camsurface or position 82, a second compartment opening earn position orstep 84 and a third compartment opening cam position or step 86. It willbe noted that the cam configuration between each of these positions is astraight radially directed wall 87 so that the dispensing operation willfollow a snap action pattern to be described more fully next following.

For a better understanding of the relationship of the timer anddispenser to the dishwasher door 22, it is best to refer to FIGURE 3wherein a fragmentary section of the door 22, the timer 50 and thedispenser 43 are shown. The timer 50 is shown residing between the outerdoor panel 40 and the inner door panel 46. The timer 50 is formed with acasing to enclose a plurality of shaft mounted cams 88 within the timerto actuate a plurality of electrical switches (not shown) in accordancewith conventional timer design. The shaft 52 and the cams 88 thereon arerotated through any conventional speed reduction mechanism by a timermotor 90. The shaft 52 extends through the outer door panel 40 intoengagement with the timer knob 54. The timer 50 may be of the typewherein the on-oif switch for the timer 50 is actuated by the push orpull of the knob 54 and the consequent reciprocation of the timer shaft52. Thus it is important for the purpose of this invention to allowsufficient tolerance between the parts such as the cam 56 and the innerpanel 46 in view of this back and forth movement for timer shaft 52. Thetimer shaft 52 is placed so that the rearward end 92 extends through aseal 93 in the inner door panel 4-6 toward the dishwashing chamber 12.On the end 92 of the timer shaft the cam 56 is aflixed. Thus as thetimer motor 90 is energized by the inward positioning of the timer shaft52 the timer switch cams 88 and the external dispenser cam 56 will berotated or pulsed by the movement of the timer shaft 52. A pin 94 isafiixed to the rear wall 96 of the timer 50 and extends through a seal95 in the inner door panel 46 for pivotally mounting the shutter plate60 within the dishwashing chamber 12. Disposed between the shutter plateor dispenser valve 60 and the inner door panel 46 is the flange 58 ofthe dispenser cup 48, a portion only of which is shown in FIGURE 3. Thecup 48 is affixed as by a conventional fastening means 43 to the doorpanel 46. Interposed between flange 58 and panel 46 is a gasket 98 toinsure a water-tight connection, thereby preventing water in thedishwashing chamber 12 from gaining access to the area between the doorpanels 40 and 46. The shutter plate 60 is slidingly supported on theouter surface 72 of the dispenser cup 48 and is urged into secureengagement therewith to prevent the premature release of detergent fromthe compartments 74, 76 and 78 prior to the point at which the shutterplate 60 uncovers the particular compartment.

The shutter plate 60 is biased in a continuously opened clockwisedirection by the operation of a spring 100. The spring is wound aboutthe stationary shutter plate pivot pin 94 and prevented from rotationrelative to the pin by a stop member 102 which is affixed to the pin 100retains the stud 104 in engagement with the periphery of the shutterplate cam 56. Thus as the cam 56 rotates the pin 104 will be biased intothe various positions or steps 82, 84 and 86 of the cam 56. The sharpdefinition or wall 87 between the positions on the cam 56 permits a snapaction so that the pin 104 on the shutter plate 60 will snap into eachsucceeding position. In response to this snap action the shutter plate60 will uncover in successive steps the compartments 74, 76 and 78 ofthe dispenser cup 48.

The operation of this invention will best be understood with referenceto FIGURES 6 and 7 wherein the cornbination is viewed from thedishwashing chamber 12 with the inner door panel 46 broken away. To loadthe dispenser cup 48 dishwasher door 22 is opened to a horizontalposition and the shutter plate or cover 60 rotated in acounter-clockwise direction to expose all of the compartments 74, 76 and78. As aforesaid these compartments may be filled with detergent only orwith different compounds to be dispensed at various intervals during adishvashing cycle. The shutter plate 60 has a flared outer end 61 whichis formed in complementary fashion to the arcuate arrangement of thedispenser reservoirs or pockets '74, 76 and 78. In this fashion thepivotal movement of the shutter plate 60 about the pivot pin 94 willalways keep the flared end 61 in covering relationship with thedispenser pockets. At the beginning of a dishwashing cycle the door 22is'placed in a closed position and the latch 24; closed to energize thetimer motor 99. Since the shutter plate 60 is in covering relationshipwith only compartments 76 and 73 the load of detergent in compartment74- will fall by gravity into the dishwashing chamber 12 and be utilizedin the first washing operation. In accordance with the operation of thetimer 5!} the rotation of shaft 52 will drive the cam 56 in a clockwiseposition as viewed from the dishwashing chamber 12. So long as shutterplate pin or stud 104 is in engagement with the first cam position 82the dispenser compartments '76 and 78 will remain closed. If the cam 56rotates to the terminus 85 of the first position 82 the pin 104 will beforced in a snap action by spring into the second position 84 as shownin solid line in FIGURE 7. Shutter plate 60 will then uncovercornpartment '76 and the ingredient therein will fall into thedishwashing chamber to be utilized in the dishwashing operationprogrammed at that time by the position of timer earns 88. Similarly thecontinued rotation of the cam 56 will cause the shutter plate stud 104to move as by a snap action into the first position 86 shown in phantomline in FIGURE 7. This of course uncovers the last remaining compartment73 and releases the ingredients contained for the operationthenprogrammed by the timer 50. In all of these movements the shutter plate6:? is pivoting about the pin 94 which is fixed on the timer rear wall96. it is also important that a snug engagement exists between thesurface 72 of the dispenser cup and the shutter plate so that theingredients will not be released prior to their need. It should also berecognized that a portion of the spray from the spray tube 38 will aidin cleansing the compartments 74, 76 and 78 as they are uncovered andthus will aid in a complete release of the ingredients contained.

It should now be seen that a multiple dispenser has been designedwherein electrical controls therefor are eliminated and a snap action iseffected whereby a plurality of ingredients may be released at differentintervals in the sequence of operations. These operations areaccomplished in combination with a timer shaftadapted to operate bothappliance operation actuating cams within a timer and a cam external tothe timer itself for directly operating an auxiliary device. Further thecompact arrangement of this invention permits installation within theconfines of an appliance door thereby further conserving on space in theappliance.

While the form of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosedconstitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, as may come Within the scope of the claimswhich'follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. In combination with a dishwasher having first,

second and third sequentially actuated cycles, a timer for saiddishwasher, said timer having a shaft for controlling said cycles, meanson said shaft for actuating said cycles, a dispenser having first,second and third pockets, a pivotally mounted shutter plate for coveringsaid pockets, a protuberance on said plate, a cam on said shaft havingfirst, second and third positions, means for biasing said protuberanceagainst said cam, and means for rotating said shaft to actuate saidcycles and said shutter plate whereby said first, second and thirdpockets are uncovered during said first, second and third cyclesrespectively.

2. In combination with a cleaning apparatus having first, second andthird sequentially actuated operations,

a timer for said apparatus, said timer having a shaft for controllingsaid operations, means on said shaft for actuating said operations, adispenser having first, second and third compartments, a pivotallymounted shutter plate dispenser having at least one container, ashutterplate for covering said container, at protuberance on said plate,

a cam on said shaft having at least one position, means I for biasingsaid protuberance against said cam, and means for moving said shaft toactuate said operation and said shutter plate whereby at least one ofsaid containers is uncovered during said operation.

4. In combination with a cleaning apparatus having more than onesequentially actuated operation, a timer for said apparatus, said timerhaving a shaft for con trolling said operations, means on saidshaft foractuating said operations, a dispenser having more than one pocket, apivotally mounted shutter plate for covering said pockets, aprotuberance on said plate, a cam on said shaft having more than onepositiommeans for biasing said protuberance against said cam, and meansfor rotat ing said shaft to actuate said operations and said shutterplate whereby some of said pockets are uncovered during some of saidoperations.

5. A sequentially operated dispenser comprising, an arcuate receptacle,first, second and third pockets in said receptacle, a timer shaft, a camon said shaft, said cam having first, second and third stops, a platecovering at least two of said pockets and movable in conformance withthe arcuate configuration of said receptacle, means for rotating saidshaft, and means for biasing said plate into engagement with said stopsto uncover selected ones of said pockets.

6. A sequentially operated dispenser comprising, a receptacle havingmore than one pocket therein, a timer shaft, a cam on said shaft, saidcam having more than one stop, means covering at least one of saidpockets and movable in conformance with the configuration of saidreceptacle, means for rotating said shaft, and means for biasing saidcovering means into engagement with said stops to uncover selected onesof said pockets.

7. In combination with a cleaning apparatus having at least oneoperation, a timer for said apparatus, said timer having a shaft memberfor controlling said operation, a dispenser having at least onecontainer, a shutter plate member 'for covering said container, aprotuberanceon one of said members, a cam on the other of said membershaving at least one position, means for biasing said protuberance andsaid cam into engagement, and means for moving said shaft membertoactuate said operation and said shutter plate member whereby at leastone of said containers is uncovered during said operation.

References Cited in the file of this patent l UNITED STATES PATENTS1,610,564 McLaughlin Dec. 14, 1926 2,468, 5 84 Wotring Apr. 26, 19492,711,178 Sharp et al June 21, 1955 2,816,428 Forse Dec. 17, 19572,861,581 Ryckman Nov. 25, 1958

